Sheikha Maitha, patron of the UAE Polo Team, in action against Zedan during their IFZA Silver Cup match at the Al Habtoor Polo Resort and Club on Saturday.

Gulf Today, Staff Reporter

Sheikha Maitha Bint Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum-led UAE Team hammered Zedan 12.5-5 to storm into the semi-finals of the IFZA Silver Cup 2021 following an exciting final round of qualification matches, which took place at Al Habtoor Polo Resort and Club on Saturday.

The UAE claimed the lead in the opening chukker behind Lucas Monteverde Jr’s lightning-quick start. Leading from the front, Sheikha Maitha, patron of the UAE Team, fired one through the posts to help them stretch the lead.

Carrying the momentum, the UAE Team’s strong defence kept Zedan off the scoreboard in the first two chukkers.

Jeronimo del Carril opened Zedan’s account in the third chukker. Simon Prado added another.

The next two chukkers saw Tomas Panelo and Lucas deliver goals for the UAE Team,who set a 7.5 goal lead at the final chukker. Their superb defensive skills held Zedan to just five goals in the game.

Panelo produced a standout performance to make the difference. He scored seven goal to help his team book spot in semis without any fuss.

Home teams Habtoor Polo and Dubai Wolves by CAFU lock horns in another qualifying match.

The Dubai Wolves grabbed the lead early during the first chukker with three consecutive goals from Alejandro Muzzio.

Quick to catch up was Facundo Sola, who scored two goals plus a calculated pass to Mohammed Al Habtoor, patron of the team, who scored and leveled the game by the end of the second chukker.

The last goals of the match from Habtoor and Felix Esain sealed the win for Habtoor Polo at 11 goals to 6.

The IFZA Silver Cup 2021 semi-finals will take place on Feb.2, with a game between Habtoor Polo and Dubai Wolves by CAFU at 2pm followed by Bangash Polo against UAE Polo at 4pm.

The 11 edition of the prestigious Silver Cup is part of the Dubai Polo Golf Cup Series being held under the Patronage of Sheikh Maktoum Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai.

The Dubai Polo Gold Cup kick-started its high-goal season with the Silver Cup, which began on Jan.22.

Six teams including UAE, Bangash, Dubai Wolves, Habtoor Polo Team, IFZA Polo Team and Zedan are taking part in the tournament.

International Free Zone Authority are the title sponsor of the Silver Cup 2021 while Al Shirawi Contracting Company LLC are the main sponsors.

The event is being played under the Hurlingham Polo Association (HPA) banner, with strict international supervision according to the HPA rules and provision of its umpires. The tournament falls under World Polo Tour’s WPT Cup Category.

Fans can catch the action live or watch it online on Pololine TV’s live streaming.

The Dubai Polo Gold Cup Series in the UAE is one of only five tournaments worldwide played in the WPT Championship Cup category.

It is on a par with world-class events held in Argentina, Spain, the United Kingdom and the United States.

The Dubai Polo Gold Cup Series started in 2009 with tournaments carrying a handicap of 10-12 goals and has grown to host teams playing in 18-goal handicap matches.